photo by Michael Hann
The title track of London based Khartoum's upcoming EP "Vultures" smears bright red lipstick onto their brand of indie rock. The artful twisting, turning and bending of genres hearkens (to me) back to 80's new wave / post punk / art pop tones. The shifting sounds that include a rushed ska cadence is totally invigorating and Oscar Dunbar's vox have a punk flair with pursed lips, touches of glitter with a bit of grand art pop affections. Of the track the band shares:
"Written during the first Covid-19 Lockdown, Vultures contains all the angst and strangeness of that time. It is too easy to be whisked away by the “Vultures" in your lives, but this song urges listeners to break out and dance away those demons."
AND
“The song is an anthem for all those who have felt themselves negatively labelled. What levels us is our humanity and we felt being able to sit in a circle and discuss our fears and hopes was as good a way as any to present this. The video is about social equality succeeding despite discrimination diminishing hope, achievement & self-esteem.”
"Vultures'" guitar lines are infectious, the bass and drum batter very cool and the divergent sway, like the odd yet beautiful atmosphere of an illegal midnight circus, feels a bit dangerous. That divergence is artistically evident on the official video as directed by Dunbar and starring Jaime Winstone (Kidulthood) and Cherry Valentine (RuPaul’s Drag Race). Khartoum shares:
"We assembled a diverse cast to challenge and subvert stereotypes, using a group therapy session to amplify the characters struggles and demons whilst the band take on the role of antagonists… encouraging the characters to follow them into the darkness. Influenced by movies like Donnie Darko and the therapy session from Fight Club, we wanted to present a video that was representative of a year where many of us have come up against real mental challenges and have done our best to stay out of the darkness and resolute."
THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM - PRESS NOTES:
www.khartoumband.com
www.instagram.com/khartoumband
www.facebook.com/KhartoumBand
www.twitter.com/_KHARTOUM_
Khartoum were formed in 2017 and have previously drawn comparisons to the likes of Wolf Alice and Sunflower Bean alongside heroes Primal Scream and The Rolling Stones. After playing their first ever live show at the Musée du Louvre in Paris and building up a loyal following tearing up stages across London, the band have also taken part in Extinction Rebellion’s blockade of Marble Arch, London in 2019.
The band’s monthly residency at London venue Laylow has seen the likes of Sir Mick Jagger dancing in the front row, and during the first COVID lockdown the band took to the venue’s rooftop to perform a set to locked down Londoners via a drone camera. They have received support from the likes of Spotify (Hot New Bands), Apple Music, CLASH, BBC Introducing, Hoxton FM, Amazing Radio and Rinse FM, and their performance at Glastonbury 2019 was described by renowned music journalist Neil McCormick as “capturing the true spirit of the festival” and “the essence of Rock n Roll”.
The ‘Vultures’ EP will be released via tastemaker London indie Young Poet, on the 20th August.
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